Card sorting device



P 1952 A. A. REMBOLD CARD SORTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 5, 1948 INVENTOR.

ALB E RT A. REMBOLD -4 yam/942mg,

ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 16, 1952 2,610,632 oARD S ORTING DEVICE Albert Reinhold, San Francisco, Calif. Application November 5,1948, Serial No. 58,495

1 This invention relatesto a card sorting device for use in the selective sorting of marginally punched and slotted cards such, for example, as

are shown in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,198,127 of April 23, 1940.

Cards of generally the type shown in the above patent are normally arranged in a row-with the marginal openings in registration. The openings in the cards are coded and certain openings in certain cards are slotted out. By using combination of sorting needles or pins thrust through combinations of aligned openings in a row oi cards, some of the cards will be retained on the needles when the latterare raised, and will be.

suspended from said needles while one or more may be released to drop from the cards ofthe row. Those. that are released are the ones 'in which the openings in one or more of the cards are slottedout to the edge of the card in the particular combinationof needles that isemployed. 7 r

I-Ieretofore attempts have been made to facilitate the sorting of the cards by providing a han dle having a plate or supporting member at one end to which one of the ends: of the needles of a row are removably secured. The said lr'neinber is so arranged that the needles may be so spaced in the row as to provide the desired relationship for sorting out the desired card or cards. However, the cards in astack or row are usually relatively heavy and the needles tend to sag and become distorted with the 'Jweightjjof thecards. Also, difliculty is encountered in maintaining the freeends of the needles in the correct spaced 9 Claims. (Cl. 129-161) card sorting device that is providedwith means visibly identifying the needles with the'coded.

relationship forentering the properiholes in the 7 cards. Furthermore, there is no means on the sorting devices forquickly and. clearly deter miningexactly the precise combination that the arrangement of needles represents. I p One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of'a card-sorting: device that over comes theabove-objections.

Another object of the invention isthe provision. of a card sorting device that is strong, easily and.

needles supported in arow below '.a'lif.ting han,

dle withone of the ends. of the needlesrbeing tree;

for insertion through the openings n he cards.

2 A still further object of the:

dles in the proper openings in-a stack of cards; j

An added object-is the provision of a codeon-a card openings thus reducing the chance for:er.-.

ror in theme of the device, and which means-also;

facilitates the changing of':the positions'oi the:

needles for new combinations. =3 l Other objects and advantages will appear .in

the description and in the drawings. 1

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an isometricvieW-oie the card sorting device including cards positionedfor sorting by use of :the'device. 4

Fig. 2 is'a reduced size-,endielevational view'oif thesorting device of Fig. 1 in operation-over aconventional sorting tray:

2.1.11: =3." Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary par.-t;;eleva -g tional and part sectional .view showing the end; of'one of the Isortingneedles in a position forinsertion into'the holder therefor, I. i

' Fig. 4 is a fragmentary part sectionaland part elevational view of the sliding guide and-support;- for the needles of the sorting device, the guideitself being indicated in top plan view. Fig. 5 is a crosssectional view taken along line 5-5 ofFig. 4...

In detaiL'the sorting device of this inventioncomprises a support fortheneedles in'theform ofa body member I that is'a' horizontally elongated; boxlike piece having vertically disposed; opposed; horizontally elongated front and rear side'iwalls' 2, 3, opposed end walls-4, a' top wall 5 and a bottom wallfi. The rear side walliextends upwardly.- from the bottom wall 6 only'p'art of the distance.

to the top wall thusleavin'g a horizontallyelongated gap or space 7 between the horizontally ex tending upper edge of rear wall sjandtheitop' wall 5. 1' A horizontally elongated handle [0 is secured at one of its ends to top wall 5 at a point. can-1i.- trallybetween the ends of the latter and projects at right angles-to said support I" in directionaway from rear wall 3.

The end of handle ill that support! is secured to a strip H: at .apointscen-f trally between the ends of .the latter. .Strip;i. l; is parallelwith body l and at right angles to;handle l0. 7

Said strip ll is'provided withapair. of depending legs l2 respectively-secured at their up; per ends to strip Hat pointsadjacent theends of said strip. These legs i2 are. correspondingly inclined in direction away from body rrrom their invention is the provision of guide means .on a card sorting de-' vice to facilitate the insertion of the proper-nee is remotepfromithei upper ends and the lower ends of said legs are respectively secured to one of the ends of a pair of corresponding parallel bars I3. The opposite ends of bars I3 are secured to the front wall 2 of support I.

Slidable on bars i3 is a transverse, horizontal, elongated spacer element I5 for the needles that is in the form of an inverted elongated channel member having a rear side I 6, top I! anda front side I8. The-front side I8 is preferably of substantially'less width than the rear side IS.

The bars I3 extend through aligned openings in the sides I6, I8 of said channel member, the latter being slidable on said bars I3 from substantially end to end thereof.

The top side I! of the channel member orspacer element I5, rotatably supports a pair of pulley wheels I9, 20 adiacent its under side and between sides 16, I8. These pulleys aread'jacent the ends of the spacer element.

Cords 21,22 are respectively securedpat one of thelriend's'to the front wall 2 of isupportil' adjacent opposite ends thereof' Cord :Zl "extends from said support parallelxwith the. bar I3 ad.- jacent thereto through an opening inwthe rear side-16 f spacer-element .I',.thensaround .a side of pulley I9 and longitudinally of the spacer I5 to pulley ZO, thenaround aside of pulley 20 and through an opening in front side I8 to the leg.

I2nearest thereto, which leg atrthe side .of the device opposite the pulley" 19..

The other cordv 22 extends; from support I parallel with the bar I3 :that isat the :side of the device, opposite the side from which cordz2l extends from the support; Cordt22extendsthrough an opening in theside- I6 and around a side of.

pulley- 20, "thenlongitu'dinally .of the :spacer .I:5 to

pulley I9 and around a side of the latter and. through an opening in front wallIB .of thespacer, andthen' to the leg 12 that is'nearest-thereto and to which the cord is attached.

The pulleys are each formed "with .a pair ofoutwardly openingzannular grooves .in their :re-

cesses that keep the cords 2i, .22 from rubbing against each other where they mass at acpoint centrally between the ends .of ttheuspacer .(Figs. 4, 5).

By the above structure .the spacer L5 will be frictionally held stationary at anyppoint in its movement along: bars I3, and will be :retained parallelwiththe support I and. strip 1 I :irrespectiveofthe point'a'long the spacer at which force may be applied. for. moving the :spacer along bars-I3.

- End pieces .23' may be secured to the ends :of

the spacer I5, which pieces project oppositely outwardly from said ends formanual grasping.

of either. piece to facilitateimanually-movingthe spacer "along bars .13.

The 'front and. rear sides .of the support 1 and the rear side of the spacer I5 are formed with corresponding axially registering annular :openings arranged in a horizontally extending row o'ri rows, as 'shown' in the :cards in my aforesaid patent. These openings correspond with the 4 card sorting needles 25, 26 may be thrust through said openings. When this is done, the needles will be parallel with bars I3.

The needles 26 are the two end needles of the row of needles, while needles 25 are those in the row between the needles 26. These needles 26 are preferably slightly longer than the needles 25.

The needles 25, 2-5 are each formed with a spring .loop. 28 at the rear end, at the end that projects. from the "rear wall 3 of support I when the needles are in the desired aligned openings in walls 2, 3, I6. Each loop 28 has a spring arm extension 29 that projects forwardly of the upper .side'ofeach loop. The forward end of each extension 29 is formed with a downwardly slanting portion 30 "that is adapted to extend over the upper. edge of rear wall 3 and which portion 33 yieldably engages the said edge in a manner that tends to-yieldably hold the needle from sliding rearwardly.

.Adjacentthe above portion. 30 theextension 29 terminates'in aniupwardly inclined portion 3,I.

When the needles .areinsertedin' the openings said-walls 2, 3,16,;thexinclinedportion 3] of each.

needle will ride up over the "upper edge. of wall 3 as. the. needle. is finally pushed forward, and then the inclined portion. 30 will ride down the said edge thus applyi g. the resistance to with.- drawal .of the needles. However, by graspin 'withloop 28 and then .forceably pulling the.

needles .zrearwardly, the spring. extensions .29 will be. released from wall 3.

The main. straight, horizontal lengths of needles 25, 26. join the lowerv sides ofthe loops 2B by downwardly'inclinedportions .32-that.com-- mence at the openings in'rear wall. 3. :through. which the :needlesextend. These inclined por. tions function as stops forlimiting the .fonwardv movement of the needles. in this manner. in:-

clined portions 30, 32' cooperate to hold the needles stationary and relative to the support unless forceably withdrawn for relocating in other aligned openings.

As seen in Fig. 3 the sides ofopenings in rear wall 3 for-needles 25,-26 may be outwardly flared at 35 where the openings open rearwardly out Wardly .of said wall to facilitate quick insertion of the needles insaid openings. Also the-pointed ends 35. .of the needles facilitate'such insertion. As seen inFig. 3 the needle will enter the opening as long as the point engages thev flared sides 35. and even though. the needle is not. aligned with the openings.

In operation ahorizontalrow or stack .of cards 31. may initially be in asorting tray 38 with their marginally punched openings. in alignment.

The spacerelement I5 isslipped. along bars I3 and the needles to the forward limit .of the spacer which is spaced from .but adjacent the pointed ends ofthe needles. .It will be'seen that the spacer will function to cor.rectlyv space the pointed ends of the :needles when itisin the-above position Normally 'said pointed ends would not. be correctly spaced inasmuch as the needles are light and are not exactly parallel.

When-the spacer'is in the above position, the operator may readily insert the end needlesin the desired openings in-the cards andtheother needles will thenautomatically be correctly'positioned for thrusting into the desired openings.

) After the needlesare thrust through the openings in the stack of cards, a supportingbar :40 is swung below the pointed ends of the needles providing a support for the needles sorthat the .7 a entire stack of cardsfrnay belifted"for releasing the, desired card or'cards 39 (Fig.2); 1

Bar has legs 4| at its ends that projecti at' right angles from said bar. fIhe outer ends of said legs are pivoted to. the forward ends of, parallel; forward extensions 4 42; at the ends 'of strip. l l'. 1

The fact that the handle lll'extends forwardly,

between support "I and the strip ll makes it easy'to lift a relativelyheavystack of cards. The supporting bar 40 prevents any detrimental strain tolbe placed'on' said needles or on the do vice 'asa whole.

The needles themselves iareiabout the thickness. of conventional steel knitting, needles, hence are susceptive 'ofb'eing sprung out ofgposition, if not supported.- The structure describedngives that support."

Changing the cards is very simple since the operator need merely compare the desiredcoded and slotted needles 'for sorting different card with the chart on rear wall 3and then posie tion the needles according to the slots.

I claim:

1. A card sorting device of the character'dee scribed comprising a support having a horizontally extending row of openings therein adapted to support horizontally extended sorting needles therein at points respectively adjacent one of,

the ends of said needles, horizontally extending sorting needles removably .supported at said points in certain of said openings as selected, the opposite ends .of said needles being aligned horizontally and being pointed to facilitate their insertion into the aligned marginally punched openingsformed in a stack of sorting cards, a

spacer carried by said support adjacentlthe pointed ends of said needles in engagem'ent with the latter for'holding said pointed ends in proper spaced relationship during such insertion of said needles in said marginally punched openings, and means supporting said spacer for-movement relative to said needles toward said support to permit movement of such stack along said needles, and a member positioned above and adjacent the pointed ends of said needles and secured to said support for movement to and from a position'below said needles outwardly. of said spacer relative to said support for supporting said needles when such cards are suspended therefrom and said spacer is between said 'cards and said supports. P

2. A card sorting device of the character described comprising a support having a horizontally extending row of openings therein adapted to support-horizontally extended sorting needles therein at ponts respectively adjacent one of the ends of said needles, horizontally extending sorting needles removably supported at said points in certain of said openings as selected, the opposite ends of said needles being aligned horizontally and .beingpointed to facilitate their insertion into the aligned marginally punched openings formed in a stack of sorting cards, a spacer carried by said support adjacent the pointed ends of said needles'in engagement with the latter. fo'rholding said pointed ends in proper spaced relationship during such insertion of said v needles in said marginally punchedopenings, and means supporting said spacer for movement relative to said needles toward said support to permit movement of such stack along said needles, and a member positioned above and adjacent the pointed ends of said needles and secured to said support for movement to and from a'positionbelow said needles outwardly of 1 said'space'r relative" to said support for supportingsaid'needles when such cards are sus- I pended therefrom and said spacer is between said cards and said support, and a handle spaced above said needles connecting said support to said member.

am a cardsorting device of the character described comprising a horizontally elongated support having a horizontally extending row of coded openings formed therein adapted to support horizontally extending sorting needles there-' in at points respectively adjacent one of I the ends of said needles; horizontally extending parallel sorting needles removably supported at said points in certain-of said openings as selected,- said needles being arranged in a horizontal row with the ends oi'the' outermost needles of said row that are most remote from said support projecting farther from said support than the needles between them' and said latter needles having their ends remote from said support in alignment longitudinally of saidrow for simulta' neous insertion into the aligned marginally punched openings formed in a stack of sorting cards, a spacer parallel with said support formed I Witha row of openings corresponding in spacing with the openings in said support, each of said needles extending through the opening in said spacer that corresponds in position with the opening in the support in which it is held, and means" connected with said support supporting said spacer for movement onsaid needles from their said support toward the outer ends remote from latter.

4. In a card sorting devised the character described comprising a horizontally elongated support having a horizontally. extending rowof coded openings formed therein adapted to sup port horizontally extending sorting needles therein at points respectively adjacent one'of the ends of said needles, horizontally extending parallel sorting/needles removably supported: atsaid points in certain of said openings as selected,

said needles being arranged in a horizontal row withithe ends of the outermost needles of said row that are most remote from saidjsupport projecting farther from said support than the needles between them and said latter needles having their ends remote from said'support in alignment longitudinally of said row for simultaneous insertion into, the aligned. marginally punched openings formed in astackof sorting cards, a spacer parallel with said support formed with a row of openings corresponding in spacing with. the openings in said support, each of..said. needles extending'through the opening in said spacer that corresponds in position with the open- I ing in thesupport in which it is held, and means connected with said support supporting said spacer for movement on said needles from their outer ends remote from said support toward the latter, a rod extending longitudinally of said row swingable for movement from a position below the ends of saidfneedles remote from said support to a position elevated above the; said needles, and means carried by said support swing ably mounting said rod for so-swinging. 5. Ina card sorting device of the character described comprising" a horizontally elongated support having a horizontally extending row of coded openings formed therein adapted to support horizontally extending sorting needles therein at points respectively adjacent one ofthe ends of saidneedles, horizontally extending parallel sorting needles removably supported at acrea e said-points in, certain of said openings'as sethaving their ends remote from said-support in alignment longitudinally of said row for simultaneousqinsertion into the aligned marginally punched openings .formed in a stack of sorting cards, a spacer parallel withsaid support formed witha row of openings corresponding in spacing with-the openings in said support, each of said needles-extending through. the opening in said spacerv that corresponds. in position. with the. openinginthesupportin which itis-held, and. meandnonnected, with .said. support supporting saidspacer for movement on said needles from. their; outer 'ends remote from. said support toward the latter, a rod extending longitudinally oisaidrow'swingable for movement from a position: below the ends of said needles remote from .said support to a position. elevated above thesaid needles, and means carried by said support swingably mounting said ,rod for so swingingsaid means including a handle spaced. above said .needles and extending. longitudinally thereof,

.'6...In .a card sorting device of the character described. comprising a horizontally elongated support having a horizontally extending row oi coded openings. "formed thereinadapted to support. ihorizontally extending sorting needles thBIlelIlfit. points respectively adjacent one. of the ends of said needles, horizontally extendingparallel sorting needles. removably supported at said. points in. certain of said openings as so lected, said needles being arraneedlinqa horizontal rowwithiits ends of the. outermost needles oi said row that are most remote from said support projecting farther from said support than the needles between. them and said latter needles having their ends. remotev from said support in alignment longitudinally of said row for simultaneous insertion into, the aligned marginally punched openings formed in a stack of sorting cards, a spacer parallel with said support formed with a row of openings corre sponding in spacing with the openings in said support, each of, said needles extending through the opening in said spacer that corresponds in position with the opening in the support in which it is held, and meansconnected with said support supporting said spacer for movement on. said needles from their outer ends remote from said support toward the latter, means conmeeting said spacer with said support for holding said spacer parallel with said support during its movement toward and away from the latter.

a card sorting device of the character described comprising a horizontally elongated support having a horizontally extending row of coded openings formed therein adapted to sup-' port horizontally extending sorting needles therein at points respectively adjacent one of the ends of said needles, horizontally extending parallel sorting needles removably supported at said points in certain of said openings as selected, said needles being arranged in a horizontal row with the ends of the outermost needles of said row that are most remote from said supportprojacting-farther from said support than the needles between them and said latter needles having their ends remote from said support, -in alignment longitudinally .oi saidrow for simultaneous 'insertion into, the aligned.

marginally punched openings formed in, a stack of sorting cards, aspacer parallel with saidsupport formed with a row of openings correspondinginspacing with the .openings insaid support,

each of said needles extending through the. opening in said spacer thatcorresponds infposi-' tion with the Eopeningin the support in which it is held, and meansconnected with said support supporting said. spacer for movement on said. needles from. their outerends remote from said support toward the latter, means connecting.

said spacer With. saidsupport for holding said spacer parallel with saidsnpport during its movement. toward and away from the latter, said .means including a. pair: of bars parallel with said support connected at one of their, ends to, said support and positioned adjacent the opposite ends of said" spacer respectively, pulley roller on said spacer. adjacent. its ends, and a pair of cords each. connected at one of its ends to the ends of said bars that are remote from.

said support and extending around both of .said pulleys and secured at their opposite ends to said support.

,8. .A card sorting. device of the character. de-

scribed comprising a horizontally elongated support formed with a row of spaced openings. extendinglongitudinally thereof adapted to re movably support horizontally extending sorting needles therein at points adjacent one of the ends of said needles, horizontally extending.

needles removably supported at said points in certain of said openings as selected, the ends of;

said needles Ollposite said points being pointed to facilitate.theirinsertion. into aligned marginally punched openings. formed along the upper edges of vertically positioned sorting cards, said support including members rigid therewith and extending at right angles thereto in the same direction as said needles at a level above said row of needlesand terminating adjacent to and short of the pointed ends of said needles whereby said pointed ends will be free for insertion into said punched openings, a spacer parallel with said support formed with openings corresponding with those formed in said support and through which said needles slidably extend, said spacer being slidably supported on said members for reciprocable movement from end to end thereof, a handle forlifting said support members, spacer and needles including cards adapted to'be held on the latter, said handle being secured to said support and extending over the I spacer'and over said row of needles and the cards adapted to be held on the latter, and means connecting the ends of said members that are remote from said support with the end .of said handle that is nearest the pointed ends of said needles.

9. A card sorting device of the. character described comprising a horizontally elongated sup port having a horizontally extending row of openings formed therein adapted to support a horizontal row of horizontally extending sorting needles therein at points adjacent one of the ends of said .needles, horizontally extending sorting needles removably supported at said. points in certain of said openings as selected and the opposite ends of said. needles remote from said support being pointed to facilitate their insertion into the aligned marginally punched openings formed in vertical. sorting cards along their upper edges, horizontally elon- 2,610,682 9 h 10 gated spacer parallel with said support and rollers intermediate their respective opposite formed with a horizontal row of openings corends. responding with those formed in said support ALBERT A. REMBOLD. and through said needles slidably extend, spacer supporting means rigid with said support above EFERENCES CITED the level of said needles Supporting Said Spacer The following references are of record in the for movement between said support and the outer fil of this patent; ends of said needles and spacer holding means I independent of said spacer supporting means UNITED STATES PATENTS connecting said spacer with said support for 1 Number Name Date holding said spacer parallel with said support 6,9 0 Crane June 30, 1896 during its said movement irrespective of the po- 2,2 1,719 Connor et a1 Nov. 4, 1 sition of the point along said spacer at which 2,270,786 Portman-Dixon Jan. 20, 1942 force is applied to move said spacer, said spacer 2, 63,747 Connor Mar. 8, 1949 holding means including rollers carried by said -f-15 spacer adjacent its ends and cards secured at FOREIGN PATENTS one of their ends to ends of said support and Number n ry Date secured at their other ends to said spacer sup- 5 2,850 GreatBritain Oct. 1, 1947 porting means and extending around said 

